The United States and Japan will step up their defence cooperation to deal with the threat from nuclear-armed North Korea as tensions in East Asia remain high, officials from the two allies said on Thursday.

World leaders react to Brexit

"We now expect the United Kingdom Government to give effect to this decision of the British people as soon as possible, however painful that process may be. Any delay would unnecessarily prolong uncertainty. We have rules to deal with this in an orderly way" - European Council president Donald Tusk, European Parliament president Martin Schulz, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, holder of the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker

"Today marks a watershed moment for Europe. What the consequences of this will be in the coming days, weeks months and years will depend on whether the other 27 members have the will and ability not to make fast and easy decisions, which would only serve to further divide Europe." - German Chancellor Angela Merkel

"The British people have decided to leave. It is a sad decision but one which I respect. The vote puts the European Union in difficulties. It must recognise its shortfalls" - French President Francois Hollande.

"There's no hiding the fact that we wanted a different outcome of yesterday's referendum. I am fully aware of how serious or even dramatic this moment is politically" - European Council president Donald Tusk

"Damn! A bad day for Europe." - German Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel

"Please tell me I'm still sleeping and this is all just a bad nightmare!" - Former Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb

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"We are determined to keep our unity as 27 ... I will propose that we start a period of wider reflection on the future of our union." - European Council President Donald Tusk

"Europe will continue but it must react and rediscover the confidence of its peoples. It's urgent." - French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault

The vote is a "signal from both the British voters and many other voters around Europe who feel that the EU is not providing good enough answers to today's challenges." - Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg

"Brussels must hear the voice of the people, this is the biggest lesson from this decision ... Europe is strong only if it can give answers to major issues such as immigration that would strengthen Europe itself and not weaken it. The EU has failed to give these answers." -

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban

"This is bad news for Europe, for Poland ... it happened because this concept, which was created some time ago, is no longer popular in Europe." - Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski

"We must show people why we believe the EU is important, why we need to remain. We have to look at the things that matter in people's everyday lives, perhaps where there have been ambiguities, where there's been arrogance and where people have felt it's been an elite project." - Swedish Eu Minister Ann Linde

"Scotland has delivered a strong, unequivocal vote to remain in the EU, and I welcome that endorsement of our European status." - First Minister Of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon

"It is sad but it is not the funeral of the European Union." - Gianni Pittella, leader Of the Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament

"The EU is failing, the EU is dying." - Nigel Farage, leader of British anti-EU party Ukip

"We want be in charge of our own country, our own money, our own borders, and our own immigration policy ... As quickly as possible, the Dutch need to get the opportunity to have their say about Dutch membership of the European Union." - Dutch Anti-Immigration Leader Geert Wilders